Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING USING AUTOMATED
PROVISIONING OF HETEROGENEOUS COMPUTING RESOURCES
BACKGROUND
[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to distributed
computing and, more particularly, to a computer-implemented system for
provisioning
heterogeneous computing resources using cloud computing resources and private
computing resources.
[0002] Machine Learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, is a science
concerned with developing algorithms that analyze empirical, real-world data,
searching
for patterns in that data in order to create accurate predictions about future
events. One
critical and challenging part of Machine Learning is model creation, a process
of creating
a model based on a set of "training data". This empirical data, observed and
recorded,
may be used to generalize from those prior experiences. During the model
creation
process, practitioners find the best model for the given problem through trial
and error,
that is, generating numerous different models from the training data and
choosing one
that best meets the performance criteria based on the a set of validation
data. Model
creation is a complex search problem in the space of model structure and
parameters of
the various modeling options, and is computationally expensive because of the
size of the
search space.
[0003] The increasing computational complexity of Machine Learning
problems requires greater computational capacity, in the form of faster
computing
resources, more computing resources, or both. In the late 1990's, the
SETI@home
project implemented a distributed computing mechanism to harness thousands of
individual computers to help solve computationally intensive workloads in the
Search for
Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence ("SETI"). SETI@home needed to analyze massive
amounts of observational data from a radio telescope in the search for radio
transmissions
that might indicate intelligent life in distant galaxies.
-1-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0004] Computationally, the problem was divided based on the collected
data, parceling the problem into millions of tiny regions of the sky. To
process the work
load, each tiny region, along with its associated data, was sent out to
individual
computers on the internet. As each computer finished processing a single tiny
region, it
would transmit its results back to a central server for collection. For
SETIghome,
thousands of internet-based computers became a broad distributed computing
environment harnessed to solve a computationally complex problem. Similarly,
Machine
Learning problems represent a computationally complex problem that can also be
broken
into components and processed with numerous individual computing resources.
[0005] In the late 2000's, "Cloud Computing" has emerged as a source
of computing resource available to consumers over the internet. Traditionally,
if a
developer is in need of computational resources, the developer would need to
purchase
hardware, install the hardware in a datacenter, and install and maintain an
operating
system on the hardware. Now, various cloud service providers offer a variety
of
computing resource services available on demand over the internet, such as
"Infrastructure as a Service" ("IaaS") and "Platform as a Service" ("PaaS").
[0006] With IaaS and PaaS, consumers can "rent" individual computers
or, more often, "virtual servers", from the cloud service provider on an as-
needed basis.
These virtual servers may be pre-loaded with an operating system image, and
accessible
via the Internet through use of an Application Programming Interface ("API").
For
example, a developer with a computationally complex problem could use the
cloud
service provider's API to provision a virtual server with the cloud service
provider,
transfer his software code or machine-executable instructions and data to the
virtual
server, and execute his job. When the job is finished, the developer could
retrieve his
results, and then shut down the virtual server. These IaaS and PaaS services
offer an
option to those in need of additional computational resources, but who do not
have the
regular need, the budget, or the infrastructure for having their own dedicated
hardware.
For developers who require an agile development environment for Machine
Learning
computation, cloud computing represents a promising source of computing
resources.
-2-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] In one aspect, a system for distributed computing is provided.
The system includes a job scheduler module configured to identify a job
request. The job
request includes one or more request requirements, and one or more individual
jobs. The
system also includes a resource module configured to determine an execution
set of
computing resources from a pool of computing resources based at least
partially on the
one or more request requirements. Each computing resource of the pool of
computing
resources has an associated application programming interface. The pool of
computing
resources includes one of at least one internal computing resource and at
least one public
cloud computing resource, and a plurality of public cloud computing resources.
The
resource module also assigns a first computing resource from the execution set
of
computing resources to a first individual job of the one or more individual
jobs. The
system further includes a plurality of interface modules. Each interface
module of the
plurality of interface modules configured to facilitate communication with one
or more
computing resources of the pool of computing resources using the associated
application
programming interface. The system also includes an executor module configured
to
identify a first interface module from the plurality of interface modules
based at least in
part on facilitating communication with the first computing resource. The
executor
module is also configured to transmit the first individual job for execution
to the first
computing resource using the first interface module.
[0008] In a further aspect, a method for distributed computing is
provided. The method is implemented by at least one computer device including
at least
one processor and at least one memory device coupled to the at least one
processor. The
method includes identifying a job request comprising one or more individual
jobs. The
method also includes identifying one or more computing resource requirements
for the
job request. The method further includes determining an execution set of
computing
resources from a pool of computing resources based at least partially on the
one or more
computing resource requirements. Each computing resource of the pool of
computing
resources has an associated application programming interface. The pool of
computing
-3-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
resources includes one of at least one internal computing resource and at
least one
external computing resource, and a plurality of external computing resources.
The
method also includes assigning a first computing resource from the execution
set of
computing resources to a first individual job of the one or more individual
jobs. The
method further includes identifying a plurality of interface modules. Each
interface
module of the plurality of interface modules is configured to facilitate
communication
with one or more computing resources of the pool of computing resources using
the
associated application programming interface. The method also includes
selecting a first
interface module from a plurality of interface modules based at least in part
on facilitating
communication with the first computing resource. The method further includes
transmitting, by the at least one computer device, the first individual job
for execution to
the first computing resource using the first interface module.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a system for distributed computing is
provided. The system includes a job scheduler module configured to identify a
first job
request and a second job request. The system also includes a resource module
configured
to assign a first computing resource to the first job request from a first
execution set of
computing resources associated with a first cloud service provider. The first
computing
resource has a first application programming interface. The resource module is
also
configured to assign a second computing resource to the second job request
from one of a
second execution set of computing resources associated with a second cloud
service
provider, and a set of internal computing resources. The second computing
resource has
a second application programming interface. The system further includes a
first interface
module configured to facilitate communication with the first computing
resource using
the first application programming interface. The system also includes a second
interface
module configured to facilitate communication with the second computing
resource using
the second application programming interface. The system further includes an
executor
module configured to transmit the first job request for execution to the first
computing
resource using the first interface module. The executor module is also
configured to
-4-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
transmit the second job request for execution to the second computing resource
using the
second interface module.
DRAWINGS
[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood when the following detailed
description is read
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent
like parts
throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system that
may be used for automated provisioning of heterogeneous computing resources
for
Machine Learning;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary application environment
which includes a system for automated provisioning of heterogeneous computing
resources for Machine Learning using the computing system shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exemplary application environment
shown in FIG. 2 showing the major components of the system for automated
provisioning
of heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram of an exemplary request module of
the system shown in FIG. 3, responsible for receiving and processing a request
related to
Machine Learning;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram of the exemplary job
scheduler/optimizer module of the system shown in FIG. 3, responsible for
preparing jobs
for execution;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram of the exemplary executor module
and resource module of the system shown in FIG. 3, responsible for assigning
jobs to
computing resources and transmitting jobs for execution;
-5-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary method of
provisioning heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning using the
system
shown in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another exemplary method of
provisioning heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning using the
system
shown in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a first portion of an exemplary
database table structure for the system shown in FIG. 3, showing the primary
tables used
by request module shown in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a second portion the
exemplary database structure for the system 201 shown in FIG. 3, showing the
primary
tables used by job scheduler/optimizer module shown in FIG. 3; and
[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a third portion of the
exemplary database structure for the system shown in FIG. 3, showing the
primary tables
used by the executor module and the resource module shown in FIG. 3.
[0022] Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are
meant to illustrate key inventive features of the invention. These key
inventive features
are believed to be applicable in a wide variety of systems comprising one or
more
embodiments of the invention. As such, the drawings are not meant to include
all
conventional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be
required for the
practice of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be
made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following
meanings.
-6-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0024] The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0025] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described
event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes
instances
where the event occurs and instances where it does not.
[0026] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the
specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative
representation that
may permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to
which it is
related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as "about" and
"substantially", are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at
least some
instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an
instrument
for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims,
range
limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified
and include
all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates
otherwise.
[0027] As used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable
media" is intended to be representative of any tangible computer-based device
implemented in any method or technology for short-term and long-term storage
of
information, such as, computer-readable instructions, data structures, program
modules
and sub-modules, or other data in any device. Therefore, the methods described
herein
may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in a tangible, non-
transitory,
computer readable medium, including, without limitation, a storage device
and/or a
memory device. Such instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to
perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. Moreover, as used
herein, the
term "non-transitory computer-readable media" includes all tangible, computer-
readable
media, including, without limitation, non-transitory computer storage devices,
including,
without limitation, volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-
removable
media such as a firmware, physical and virtual storage, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and any
other
-7-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
digital source such as a network or the Internet, as well as yet to be
developed digital
means, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal.
[0028] As used herein, the term "cloud computing" refers generally to
computing services offered over the internet. Also, as used herein, the term
"cloud
service provider" refers to the company or entity offering or hosting the
computing
service. There are many types of computing services that fall under the
umbrella of
"cloud computing," including "Infrastructure as a Service" ("Iaas") and
"Platform as a
Service" ("PaaS"). Further, as used herein, the term "IaaS" is used to refer
to the
computing service involving offering physical or virtual servers to consumers.
Under the
IaaS model, the consumer will "rent" a physical or virtual server from the
cloud service
provider, who provides the hardware but generally not the operating system or
any
higher-level application services. Moreover, as used herein, the term "PaaS"
is used to
refer to the computing service offering physical or virtual servers to
consumers, but also
including operating system installation and support, and possibly some base
application
installation and support such as a database or web server. Also, as used
herein, the terms
"cloud computing", "IaaS", and "PaaS" are used interchangeably. The systems
and
methods described herein are not limited to these two models of cloud
computing. Any
computing service that enables the operation of the systems and methods as
described
herein may be used.
[0029] As used herein, the term "private cloud" refers to a computing
resources platform similar to "cloud computing", as described above, but
operated solely
for a single organization. For example, and without limitation, a large
company may
establish a private cloud for its own computing needs. Rather than buying
dedicated
hardware for various specific internal projects or departments, the company
may align its
computing resources in the private cloud and allow its developers to leverage
computing
resources through the cloud model, thereby providing greater leverage of its
computing
resources across the company.
-8-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0030] As used herein, the term "internal computing resources" refers
generally to computing resources owned or otherwise available to the entity
practicing
the systems and methods described herein excluding the public "cloud
computing"
sources. Also, as used herein, private clouds are also considered internal
computing
resources. Further, as used herein, the term "external computing resources"
includes the
public "cloud computing" resources.
[0031] As used herein, the term "provisioning" refers to the process of
establishing a computing resource for use. In order to make a resource
available for use,
the resource may need to be "provisioned". For example, and without
limitation, when a
user seeks a computing resource such as a virtual server from a cloud service
provider,
the user engages in a transaction to "provision" the virtual server for the
consumer's use
for a period of time. "Provisioning" establishes the allocation of the
computing resource
for the user. In the setting of cloud computing of virtual servers, the
"provisioning"
process may actually cause the cloud service provider to create a virtual
server, and
perhaps install an operating system image and base applications on the virtual
server,
before allowing the user to use the resource. Alternatively, the term
"provisioning" is
also used to refer to the process of allocating an already-available but
currently unused
computing resource. For example, a cloud server that has already been
"provisioned"
from the cloud provider, but is not currently occupied with a computing task,
can be
referred to as being "provisioned" to a new computing task when it is assigned
to that
task. Also, as used herein, the terms "assignment", "allocating", and
"provisioning", with
respect to cloud computing resources, are used interchangeably.
[0032] As used herein, the term "releasing" is the corollary to
"provisioning." "Releasing" is the process of relinquishing use of the
computing
resource. In order to vacate the resource, the resource may need to be
"released". For
example, and without limitation, when a user has finished using a virtual
server from a
cloud service provider, the user "releases" the virtual server. "Releasing"
informs the
cloud service provider that the resource is no longer needed or in use by
user, and that the
resource may be re-provisioned.
-9.
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0033] As used herein, the term "algorithm" refers, generally, to any
method of solving a problem. Also, as used herein, the term "model" refers,
generally, to
an algorithm for solving a problem. Further, as used herein, the terms "model"
and
"algorithm" are used interchangeably. More specifically, in the context of
Machine
Learning and supervised learning, "model" includes a dataset gathered from
some real-
world data source, in which a set of input variables and their corresponding
output
variables are gathered. When properly configured, the model can act as a
predictor for a
problem if the model utilizes variables similar to a problem. A model may be
one of,
without limitation, a one-class classifier, a multi-class classifier, or a
predictor. In other
contexts, the term "algorithm" may refer to methods of solving other problems,
such as,
without limitation, design of experiments and simulations. In some
embodiments, an
"algorithm" includes source code and/or computer-executable instructions that
may be
distributed and utilized to "solve" the problem through execution by a
computing
resource.
[0034] As used herein, the term "job" is used to refer, generally, to a
body of work identified for, without limitation, execution, processing, or
computing. The
"job" may be divisible into multiple smaller jobs such that, when executed and
aggregated, satisfy completion of the "job". Also, as used herein, the term
"job" may
also be used to refer to one or more of the multiple smaller jobs that make up
a larger job.
Further, as used herein, the term "execution job" is used interchangeably with
"job", and
may also be used to signify a "job" that is ready for execution.
[0035] As used herein, the terms "execution request", "job request", and
"request" are used, interchangeably, to refer to the computational problem to
be solved
using the systems and methods described herein.
[0036] As used herein, the terms "requirement", "limitation", and
"restriction" refers generally to a configuration parameter associated with a
job request.
For example, and without limitation, when a user enters a job request that
defines use of a
particular model M/, the user has specified a "requirement" that the request
be executed
-10-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
using model M/. A "requirement" may also be characterized as a "limitation" or
a
"restriction" on the job request. For example, and without limitation, when a
user enters
a job request that restricts processing of the request to only internal
computing resources,
that restriction may be characterized as both a "requirement" that "only
internal
computing resources are used," as well as a "limitation" or "restriction" that
"no non-
internal computing resources may be used to process the request."
[0037] As used herein, the term "heterogeneous computing resources"
refers to a set of computing resources that differ in an aspect of one of
operating system,
processor configuration (i.e., single-processor versus multi-processor), and
memory
architecture (i.e., 32-bit versus 64-bit). For example, and without
limitation, if a set of
computing resources includes System X, which is running the Linux operating
system,
and System Y, which is running WindowsTM Server 2003 operating system, then
the set
of computing resources is considered "heterogeneous". Additionally, for
example, and
without limitation, if a set of computing resources includes System 1, which
has a single
intel-based processor running the Linux operating system, and System 2, which
has four
intel-based processors running the Linux operating system, then this set of
computing
resources is considered "heterogeneous".
[0038] The exemplary systems and methods described herein allow a
user to seamlessly leverage a diverse, heterogeneous pool of computing
resources to
perform computational tasks across various cloud computing providers, internal
clouds,
and other internal computing resources. More specifically, the system is used
to search
for optimal computational designs or configurations, such as machine learning
models
and associated model parameters, by automatically provisioning such search
tasks across
a variety of computing resources coming from a variety of computing providers.
An
algorithm database includes various versions of machine-executable code or
binaries
tailored for the variety of computing resource architectures that might be
leveraged. An
executor module maintains and communicates with the variety of computing
resources
through an Application Programming Interface ("API") module, allowing the
system to
communicate with various different cloud computing providers, as well as
internal
-11-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
computing resources such as a private cloud or a private server cluster. A
user can input
a request that tailors which algorithms are used to complete the request, as
well as
specifying computing restrictions to be used for execution. Therefore, the
user can
submit his computationally intensive job to the system, customized with
performance
requirements and certain restrictions, and thereby seamlessly leverage a
potentially large,
diverse, and heterogeneous pool of computing resources.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system 120
that may be used for automated provisioning of heterogeneous computing
resources for
Machine Learning. Alternatively, any computer architecture that enables
operation of the
systems and methods as described herein may be used.
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, computing system 120 includes a
memory device 150 and a processor 152 operatively coupled to memory device 150
for
executing instructions. In some embodiments, executable instructions are
stored in
memory device 150. Computing system 120 is configurable to perform one or more
operations described herein by programming processor 152. For example,
processor 152
may be programmed by encoding an operation as one or more executable
instructions and
providing the executable instructions in memory device 150. Processor 152 may
include
one or more processing units, e.g., without limitation, in a multi-core
configuration.
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, memory device 150 is one or
more devices that enable storage and retrieval of information such as
executable
instructions and/or other data. Memory device 150 may include one or more
tangible,
non-transitory computer-readable media, such as, without limitation, random
access
memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access
memory (SRAM), a solid state disk, a hard disk, read-only memory (ROM),
erasable
programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM),
and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary
only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage
of a computer
program.
-12-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0042] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, memory device 150 may be
configured to store information associated with for automated provisioning of
heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning, including, without
limitation,
Machine Learning models, application programming interfaces, cloud computing
resources, and internal computing resources.
[0043] In some embodiments, computing system 120 includes a
presentation interface 154 coupled to processor 152. Presentation interface
154 presents
information, such as a user interface and/or an alarm, to a user 156. For
example,
presentation interface 154 may include a display adapter (not shown) that may
be coupled
to a display device (not shown), such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid
crystal display
(LCD), an organic LED (OLED) display, and/or a hand-held device with a
display. In
some embodiments, presentation interface 154 includes one or more display
devices. In
addition, or alternatively, presentation interface 154 may include an audio
output device
(not shown) (e.g., an audio adapter and/or a speaker).
[0044] In some embodiments, computing system 120 includes a user
input interface 158. In the exemplary embodiment, user input interface 158 is
coupled to
processor 152 and receives input from user 156. User input interface 158 may
include,
for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, and/or a touch
sensitive
panel, e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen. A single component, such as a
touch screen,
may function as both a display device of presentation interface 154 and user
input
interface 158.
[0045] Further, a communication interface 160 is coupled to processor
152 and is configured to be coupled in communication with one or more other
devices,
such as, without limitation, another computing system 120, and any device
capable of
accessing computing system 120 including, without limitation, a portable
laptop
computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a smart phone. Communication
interface 160 may include, without limitation, a wired network adapter, a
wireless
network adapter, a mobile telecommunications adapter, a serial communication
adapter,
-13-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
and/or a parallel communication adapter. Communication interface 160 may
receive data
from and/or transmit data to one or more remote devices. For example,
communication
interface 160 of one computing system 120 may transmit transaction information
to
communication interface 160 of another computing system 120. Computing system
120
may be web-enabled for remote communications, for example, with a remote
desktop
computer (not shown).
[0046] Also, presentation interface 154 and/or communication interface
160 are both capable of providing information suitable for use with the
methods
described herein, e.g., to user 156 or another device. Accordingly,
presentation interface
154 and communication interface 160 may be referred to as output devices.
Similarly,
user input interface 158 and communication interface 160 are capable of
receiving
information suitable for use with the methods described herein and may be
referred to as
input devices.
[0047] Further, processor 152 and/or memory device 150 may also be
operatively coupled to a storage device 162. Storage device 162 is any
computer-
operated hardware suitable for storing and/or retrieving data, such as, but
not limited to,
data associated with a database 164. In the exemplary embodiment, storage
device 162 is
integrated in computing system 120. For example, computing system 120 may
include
one or more hard disk drives as storage device 162. Moreover, for example,
storage
device 162 may include multiple storage units such as hard disks and/or solid
state disks
in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration. Storage device
162 may
include a storage area network (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS) system,
and/or
cloud-based storage. Alternatively, storage device 162 is external to
computing system
120 and may be accessed by a storage interface (not shown).
[0048] Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, database 164 includes
a variety of static and dynamic data associated with, without limitation,
Machine
Learning models, cloud computing resources, and internal computing resources.
-14-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0049] The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as
embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects
of the
disclosure, constitute exemplary means for automated provisioning of
heterogeneous
computing resources for Machine Learning. For example, computing system 120,
and
any other similar computer device added thereto or included within, when
integrated
together, include sufficient computer-readable storage media that is/are
programmed with
sufficient computer-executable instructions to execute processes and
techniques with a
processor as described herein. Specifically, computing system 120 and any
other similar
computer device added thereto or included within, when integrated together,
constitute an
exemplary means for recording, storing, retrieving, and displaying operational
data
associated with a system (not shown in FIG. 1) for automated provisioning of
heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary application environment 200
which includes a system 201 f for automated provisioning of heterogeneous
computing
resources for Machine Learning using computing system 120 (shown in FIG. 1). A
user
202 conceives a problem 203 and submits a request 204 to system 201. System
201
interacts with computing resources 206 in order to process request 204. In the
exemplary
embodiment, computing resources 206 consist of one or more public clouds 208,
one or
more private clouds 210, and internal computing resources 212. Operationally,
system
201 receives request 204 from user 202 and executes the request automatically
across
heterogeneous computing resources 206, thereby insulating user 202 from the
execution
details. The details of system 201 are explained in detail below.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exemplary application environment
200 (shown in FIG. 2) showing the major components of system 201 for automated
provisioning of heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning. User
202
creates and submits a request 204 to a request module 304. Request module 304
processes request 204 by creating one or more "jobs" for processing. A job
scheduler/optimizer module 310 analyzes a library 308 and selects the most
appropriate
-15-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
models and parameters to use for execution of the job, based on request 204.
In some
embodiments, library 308 is a database of models.
[0052] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, library 308 is a database of
Machine Learning algorithms. Alternatively, library 308 is a database of other
computational algorithms. Each model in library 308 includes one or more sets
of
computer-executable instructions compiled for different hardware and operating
system
architectures. The computer-executable instructions are pre-compiled binaries
for a given
architecture. Alternatively, the computer-executable instructions may be un-
compiled
source code written in a programming or scripting language, such as Java and
C++. The
number of algorithms in library 308 is not fixed, i.e., algorithms may be
added or
removed. Machine learning algorithms in library 308 may be scalable to data
size.
[0053] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, a resource module 314
determines and assigns a subset of computing resource from computing resources
206
appropriate for the job. Once the job has a subset of computing resources
assigned, an
executor module 312 manages the submission of the job to the assigned
computing
resources. To communicate with the various computing resources 206, executor
module
312 utilizes API modules 313. The operations of each system component are
explained
in detail below.
[0054] In FIGs. 4-8, the operation of each system 201 component is
described. FIG. 4 shows exemplary request module 304. FIG. 5 shows exemplary
job
scheduler/optimizer module 310. FIG. 6 shows exemplary executor module 312 and
resource module 314. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary illustration of system 201
including
the components from FIGs. 4-6. The operations of each system component are
explained
in detail below.
[0055] In some embodiments, the components of system 201
communicate with each other through the use of database 164. Entry of
information into
a table of database 164 by one component may trigger action by another
component.
This mechanism of communication is only an exemplary method of passing
information
-16-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
between components and advancing work flow. Alternatively, any mechanism of
communication and work flow that enables operation of the systems and methods
described herein may be used.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram 400 of exemplary request module
304 of system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), responsible for receiving and processing
request
204 related to Machine Learning. For example, user 202 may submit request 204
asking
to perform model exploration using the task of classification. This model
space
exploration represents a computationally intensive task which may be broken up
into sub-
tasks and executed across multiple computing resources in order to gain the
benefits of
utilizing multiple computing resources.
[0057] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, request module 304 stores
request information 404 about request 204. In some embodiments, request
information
404 is stored in database 164 (shown in FIG. 1). Alternatively, request
information 404
may be stored in any other way, such as, without limitation, memory device 150
(shown
in FIG. 1), or any way that enables operation of the systems and methods
described
herein. Request information 404 may include, without limitation, problem
definition
information, model names, model parameters, input data, label column number
within
data file providing the "ground truth" for training/optimization, task type,
e.g.,
classification or clustering or regression or rule tuning, performance
criteria, optimization
method, e.g., grid search or evolutionary optimization, information regarding
search
space, e.g., grid points for grid search or search bounds for evolutionary
optimization,
computing requirements and preferences, data sensitivity, and encryption
information.
Alternatively, request information 404 may include any information that
enables
operation of the systems and methods described herein.
[0058] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, request module 304
creates a job 402. In some embodiments, job 402 is represented by a single row
in
database 164. Alternatively, request 204 may require multiple jobs 402 to
satisfy request
204. For example, when user 202 enters request 204 asking to perform model
-17-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
exploration using classification, request module 304 enters a row in jobs 402
table
indicating a new classification job, and links job 402 to its own request
information 404.
Job scheduler/optimizer module 310 periodically checks jobs 402 table for new,
unprocessed jobs. Once scheduler/optimizer module 310 sees job 402, it will
act to
further process the job as described below.
[0059] Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, request module 304
receives request results 406 once a job has been fully processed. In some
embodiments,
request results 406 are stored in database 164. In operation, request module
304 would
receive request results 406 by noticing that a newly returned request result
406 has been
written into database 164. This result processing is a later step in the
overall operation of
system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), and is discussed in more detail below.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram 500 of exemplary job
scheduler/optimizer module 310 of system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), responsible
for
preparing jobs 402 for execution. Job scheduler/optimizer module 310 analyzes
job 402
and request information 404, and selects one or more models from library 308.
Based on
request information 404, Job scheduler/optimizer module 310 creates one or
more job
models 502. For example, when job scheduler/optimizer module 310 sees a job
requesting classification, job scheduler/optimizer module 310 examines request
information 404 to see if a particular type of classification, such as Support
Vector
Machine ("SVM") or Artificial Neural Network ("ANN") has been specified by
user 202.
If no specific model has been specified, then job scheduler/optimizer module
310 will
create a row in job model 502 for each type of classification appropriate and
available
from library 308.
[0061] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, a job model instance 504 is
created by scheduler/optimizer module 310 for each job model 502. In
operation, Job
model instance 504 serves to further limit how and where job model 502 may be
executed. Scheduler/optimizer module 310 limits job model instance 504 based
on
request information 404 and model restrictions, such as, without limitation,
preferred
-18-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
computing resources specified by user 202 (shown in FIG. 3), and required
platform
specified by the particular model selected from library 308. For example, when
job
scheduler/optimizer 310 creates a job 402 for classification using SVM, job
scheduler/optimizer 310 looks at the SVM model within library 308 and request
information 404 for the request. If the SVM model within library has a
computing
restriction such as only having a compiled version of the model for 32-bit
Linux, then job
model instance 504 will be restricted to using only 32-bit Linux hosts.
Alternatively, if
request information 404 specifies only using internal computing resources 212,
then job
model instance 504 will be so restricted. In some embodiments, job model
instance 504
may consist of one or more execution tasks that are defined by search space
information
as part of request information 404. The execution tasks may be distributed and
executed
on a plurality of computing resources in executor module 312, as discussed
below.
[0062] In operation, in the exemplary embodiment, job
scheduler/optimizer 310 periodically checks jobs 402 for unprocessed entries.
Upon
noticing new job 402, job scheduler/optimizer 310 analyzes request information
404 and
selects several models from library 308. Job scheduler/optimizer 310 then
creates a new
row in job models 502 for each model required to process job 402. Further, job
scheduler/optimizer 310 creates a job model instance 504 for each job model
502, further
limiting how job model 502 is processed. Each of these job model instances 504
is
created as individual rows in database 164. These job model instances 504 will
be
processed by executor module 312 and resource module 314, as discussed below.
[0063] Also, in some embodiments, job scheduler/optimizer 310 may
perform a series of iterative jobs that requires submitting 506 additional job
models 502
and job model instances 504 after receiving results from a previous job model
instance
504. In some embodiments, such as where the optimization method is specified
as grid
search or other combinatorial optimization, submitting and processing a single
set of job
models 502 and job model instances 504 will suffice for satisfying job 402. In
other
embodiments, where optimization methods such as, without limitation, heuristic
search,
evolutionary algorithms, and stochastic optimization are specified, certain
jobs 402 may
-19-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
require post-execution processing of a first set of results, followed by
submission of
additional sets of job models 502 and job model instances 504. This post-
processing of
results and submission of additional job models 502 may occur a certain number
of times,
or until a satisfaction condition is met. Dependent on the number of
performance criteria
specified in request information 404, the optimization may be either single-
objective or
multi-objective optimization.
[0064] FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram 600 of exemplary executor module
312 and resource module 314 of system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), responsible for
assigning
jobs to computing resources 206 and transmitting jobs for execution. Computing
resource availability is maintained by resource module 314 using instance
resource 602
table. Each row in instance resource 602 table correlates to one or more
computing
resource 206 which may be used to execute job model instances 504. In some
embodiments, each instance resource 602 is a row stored in database 164 (shown
in FIG.
1). As used herein, the term "instance resource" may refer, alternatively, to
either a
database table used for tracking computing resources 206, or to the individual
computing
resources that the table is used to track.
[0065] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, resource module 314 selects
a subset of computing resources 206 and assigns those instance resources 602
to each job
model instance 504 based on, without limitation, computing restrictions
associated with
job model instance 504, request information 404, and computing resource
availability. In
operation, when an instance resource 602 is assigned to job model instance
504, resource
module 314 creates a row in database 164 used for tracking the assignment of
instance
resource 602 to job model instance 504. For example, resource module 314 sees
a new
job model instance 504 as requiring a set of computing resource. Resource
module 314
examines computing resource restrictions within job model instance 504, and
finds that
there is a restriction to use only Linux nodes, but any public or private
Linux nodes are
acceptable. Resource module 314 then searches instance resource 602 to find a
suitable
set of Linux computing resources suitable for job model instance 504. The set
of
computing resources is then allocated to job model instance 504 for execution.
-20-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0066] Further, in some embodiments, system 201 may maintain a
second table (not shown) in database 164 that maintains a list of all of the
current
resources available to system 201, such that each row in instance resource 602
correlates
to a row in the second table. This second table may include individual
computing
resources currently provisioned from public cloud 208 or private cloud 210,
and may also
include individual internal computing resources 212. Also, in some
embodiments,
system 201 may maintain a third table (not shown) in database 164 that
maintains a list of
all of the computing resource providers, such that each individual computing
resource
listed in the second table correlates to a provider listed in the third table.
[0067] Moreover, in some embodiments, resource module 314 considers
request 204 and/or request information 404 when deciding how to allocate
resources.
Request 204 may include cost, time, and/or security restrictions relative to
computing
resource utilization, such as, without limitation, using no-cost computing
resources, using
computing resources with a limited cost rate per node, using computing
resources up to a
fixed expense amount, time constraints, using only private computing
resources, and
using secure computing resources. For example, if user 202 had specified a
limitation to
only using "secure" hosts in request, or to not spending more than a given
dollar limit to
execute the request, then resource module 314 would factor those additional
limitations
into the selection process during resource assignment.
Alternatively, job
scheduler/optimizer module 310 may have considered request 204 and/or request
information 404 when adding restrictions to job model instance 504.
[0068] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, resource module parallelizes
execution of job model instance 504 by using multiple instance resources 602
to satisfy
execution of job model instance 504. As used herein, "parallelization" is the
process of
breaking a single, large job up into smaller components and executing each
small
component individually using a plurality of computing resources. In some
embodiments,
job model instance 504 may be distributed across model parameters, i.e., each
computing
resource would get all of the training data but only a fraction of the model
parameters.
Alternatively, any other method of parallelizing job model instance 504 that
enables
-21-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
operation of system 201 as described herein may be used, such as, without
limitation,
distributing across training data, i.e., each computing resource would get all
model
parameters, but only a fraction of training data, or distributing both
training data and
model parameters. Further, in some scenarios, job model instance 504 may be
parallelized across heterogeneous computing resources, i.e., the set of
instance resources
602 allocated to job model instance 504 is heterogeneous. Moreover, in some
scenarios,
job model instance 504 may be parallelized across multiple sources of
computing
resources, e.g., a portion of job model instance 504 being executed by public
cloud 208,
and another portion being executed by private cloud 210 or internal computing
resource
212.
[0069] In operation, in the exemplary embodiment, resource module 314
periodically checks for new job model instances 504. When resource module 314
notices
new job model instances 504 that do not yet have resources assigned, resource
module
314 consults instance resource 602 to find appropriate computing resources,
and assigns
appropriate, currently-unutilized instance resources 602 to job model
instances 504.
Resource module 314 looks for instance resources 602 that satisfy, without
limitation,
platform requirements of the model, such as operating system and size of
processors and
memory, and minimum to maximum number of cores specified by the model. In some
embodiments, if at least the minimum number of required nodes is not
available, then job
model instance 504 remains unscheduled, and will be examined again at a later
time. In
the exemplary embodiment, resource module 314 will decide whether or not to
request
more resources, based on factors such as, without limitation, the number of
requests
currently queued, the types of models requested, the final solution quality
required, cost
and time constraints, the current quality achieved relative to cost and time
constraints,
and estimated resources required to run each model. If more resources will
likely be
required, then resource module 314 may request more computing resources 206
from
public clouds 208 or private cloud 210 to bring more instance resources 602
into the
available pool of resources. For example, and without limitation, if resource
module 314
assesses that it can meet the time requirements imposed by request 204 for
finding a high
-22-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
quality solution based on the number of instance resources 602 currently
engaged, it need
not engage additional instance resources 602, since there may be an extra cost
incurred as
a result. In some embodiments, resource module 314 uses a lookup table which
includes
the performance metrics mentioned above, and created based on historical
performance
on previous similar problems. In some embodiments, resource module 314 may
have a
maximum number of resources that may be utilized at one time, such that
resource
module 314 may only provision up to this maximum amount. Once instance
resources
602 have been assigned to job model instance 504, executor module 312 will
continue
processing the job model instance 504 using the instance resource 602, as
described
below.
[0070] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, executor module 312
utilizes API modules 313 to transmit job model instances 504 to computing
resources
206. Executor module 312 is responsible for communicating with individual
computing
resources 206 to perform functions such as, without limitation, provisioning
new
computing resources, transmitting job model instances 504 to computing
resources 206
for execution, receiving results from execution, and relinquishing computing
resources no
longer needed.
[0071] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, executor module 312
submits job model instance 504 to instance resource 602 for execution.
Instance resource
602 is one or more computing resources 206 from sources including public
clouds 208,
private clouds 210, and/or internal computing resources 212. To
facilitate
communication with each source of computing resource, executor module 312
utilizes
API modules 313. Each source of computing resources 206 has an associated API.
An
API is a communications specification created as a protocol for communicating
with a
particular program, e.g., in the case of a cloud provider, the cloud
provider's API creates
a method of communicating with the cloud provider and the cloud resources, for
performing functions such as, without limitation, provisioning new computing
resources,
communicating with currently-provisioned computing resources, and releasing
computing resources. Each API module 313 communicates with one source of
-23-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
computing resources, such as, without limitation, Amazon EC20, or an internal
high-
availability cluster of private servers. An API module 313 for an associated
source of
computing resources must be included within system 201 in order for resource
module
314 to provision and allocate job model instances 504 to that source of
computing
resources, and in order for executor module 312 to execute job model instances
504 using
that source of computing resources. In some embodiments, job model instance
504 will
have multiple instance resources 602 assigned from different sources, and will
engage
multiple API modules to communicate with each respective computing resource.
[0072] In operation, in the exemplary embodiment, executor module 312
periodically checks job model instances 504, looking for job model instances
504 that
have computing resources allocated and which are prepared for execution.
Executor
module 312 examines instance resources 602 to determine which source of
computing
resource has been allocated to job model instance 504, then transmits a sub-
task
associated with execution of job model instance 504 to the particular
computing resource
using its associate API module. For example, if job model instance 504 has
been
assigned 10 Lima nodes, 8 from an internal Lima cluster, and 2 from a public
cloud,
then executor would engage the API module associated with the internal Linux
cluster to
execute the 8 sub-jobs on the internal Linux cluster, and would also engage
the API
module associated with the public cloud provider to execute the 2 sub-jobs on
the public
cloud. In some embodiments, executor module 312 submits the entire job model
instance
504 task to a single instance resource 602.
[0073] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, executor module 312
periodically polls instance resources 602 to check for completion of the
assigned sub-
tasks related to job model instance 504. Executor module aggregates results
from
multiple sub-tasks and returns the aggregated results back to job
scheduler/optimizer
module 310. Executor module 312 receives results data 606 directly from
instance
resource 602, i.e., from the individual server that executed a portion of job
model
instance 504. Alternatively, executor module 312 receives results data 606
from a
storage manager 603 or shared storage 604, described below. For example, if
job model
-24-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
instance 504 was assigned to 10 instance resources 602, then executor module
312
distributes sub-tasks to each of the 10 instance resources 602, and
subsequently polls
them until completion. Once results data 606 from all 10 instance resources
602 are
collected, they are aggregated and returned to job scheduler/optimizer module
310. In
some scenarios, job scheduler/optimizer module 310, depending on the type of
job,
analyzes the aggregated result of job model instance 504 and returns the
result 214
(shown in FIG. 3). In other scenarios, job scheduler/optimizer module 310 may
analyze
the aggregated result of job model instance 504, but then execute a further
one or more
job model instances 504 before returning a final result 214. The result of the
first job
model instance 504 may be used in the subsequent one or more job model
instances 504.
In the exemplary embodiment, job scheduler/optimizer returns the aggregated
result to
request module 304 (shown in FIG. 3). Alternatively, job scheduler/optimizer
module
310 returns results of job model instance 504 to user 202 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0074] Further, in some embodiments, executor module 312 may
monitor the status of instance resources 602 for any failure associated with
the assigned
sub-task related to job model instance 504 to which it has been assigned. For
example,
and without limitation, a run-time error during execution, or an operating
system failure
of the instance resource 602 itself. Upon recognizing a failure, executor
module 312 may
restart the sub-task related to job model instance 504 on the original
instance resource
602, or may reassign the sub-task to an alternate instance resource 602. In
other
embodiments, executor module 312 may be configured as a second layer of fault
tolerance, allowing a cloud service provider to deliver the first layer of
fault tolerance
through their own proprietary mechanisms, and only implementing the above-
described
mechanisms if executor module 312 senses failure of the cloud service
provider's fault
tolerance mechanism.
[0075] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, resource module 314
performs the task of provisioning and releasing computing resources. In
operation,
request 204 may require system 201 to utilize more computing resources than
are
currently provisioned and available. Resource module 314 utilizes API modules
313 to
-25-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
provision new nodes upon demand, as described above. Resource module 314 also
releases computing resources when they are no longer required. In some
embodiments,
resource module 314 may release resources from instance resources 602 based on
demand, or cost. For example, and without limitation, resource module 314 may
release
a node during a time of the day where peak demand increases the cost of the
instance
resource 602 based on time constraints and cost constraints of request 204,
and may
reacquire the instance resource 602 when the peak demand period has ended.
[0076] Moreover, in some embodiments, system 201 includes a storage
manager 603 and shared storage 604. Shared storage 604 may be, without
limitation,
private storage or cloud storage. Shared storage 604 is accessible by
computing
resources 206 in such a way as to allow computing resources 206 to store data
606
associated with execution of job model instances 504. Shared storage 604 may
be used to
store data 606, such as, without limitation, model information, model input
data, and
execution results. Shared storage 604 may also be accessible by storage
manager 603,
which may act to pass data 606 regarding the execution results back through
system 201.
Storage manager 603 may also allocate shared storage 604 to computing
resources 206,
and may allocate shared storage 604 based on a request from executor module
312 or job
scheduler/optimizer module 310.
[0077] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary method 700 of
automatic model identification and creation by provisioning heterogeneous
computing
resources 206 for Machine Learning using system 201 (shown in FIG. 3). Method
700 is
implemented by at least one computing system 120 including at least one
processor 152
(shown in FIG. 1) and at least one memory device 150 (shown in FIG. 1) coupled
to the
at least one processor 152. An execution request 204 is received 702.
[0078] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, one or more algorithms are
selected 704 from library 308. Each algorithm in library 308 includes one of
source code
and machine-executable code. Selecting 704 a subset of algorithms is based at
least
partially on execution request 204. One or more execution jobs, e.g. job model
instances
-26-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
504, are identified 706 for execution. Each of the one or more execution jobs
includes at
least one algorithm from the library 308.
[0079] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, a subset of computing
resources is determined 708 from a plurality of computing resources 206.
Plurality of
computing resources 206 includes one of at least one internal computing
resource, i.e.,
private cloud 210 and internal computing resource 212, and at least one third-
party
computing resource, i.e., public cloud 208, and a plurality of third-party
computing
resources, i.e., public cloud 208. Computing system 120 transmits 710 at least
one of the
one or more execution jobs to at least one computing resource 206 of the
subset of
computing resources, and receives 712 an execution result 214.
[0080] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another exemplary method 800 of
automatic model identification and creation by provisioning heterogeneous
computing
resources 206 for Machine Learning using system 201 (shown in FIG. 3). Method
800 is
implemented by at least one computing system 120 including at least one
processor 152
(shown in FIG. 1) and at least one memory device 150 (shown in FIG. 1) coupled
to the
at least one processor 152. A job request 204 comprising one or more
individual jobs is
identified 802. For job request 204, one or more computing resource
requirements are
identified 804.
[0081] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, an execution set of
computing resources is determined 806 from a pool of computing resources based
at least
partially on the one or more computing resource requirements. Computing
resources 206
includes one of at least one internal computing resource, i.e., private cloud
210 and
internal computing resource 212, and at least one external computing resource,
i.e., public
cloud 208, and a plurality of external computing resources, i.e., public
clouds 208. Each
computing resource of the pool of computing resources defines an associated
API that
facilitates communication between system 201 (shown in FIG. 3) and the
computing
resource. From the execution set of computing resources, a first computing
resource is
-27-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
assigned 808 to a first individual job of the one or more individual jobs,
e.g., job model
instances 504 (shown in FIGs. 5-6).
[0082] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of interface
modules 313 is identified 810. Each interface module is configured to
facilitate
communication with one or more computing resources 206 using the associated
API. An
interface module is selected 812 from plurality of interface modules 313 based
at least in
part on facilitating communication with the first computing resource.
Computing system
120 transmits 814 the first individual job for execution to the first
computing resource
using the first interface module, and receives 816 an execution result. As
used herein, the
term "interface modules" refers to API modules.
[0083] FIGs. 9-11 show a diagram of an exemplary database table
structure 900 for system 201 (shown in FIG. 2) in three parts. Each element in
FIGs. 9-
11 represents a separate table in database 164, and the contents of each
element show the
table name and the table structure, including field names and data types. The
interconnections between elements indicate at least a relation between the two
tables,
such as, without limitation, a common field. In operation, each table is
utilized by one or
more of the components of system 201 to track and process the various stages
of
execution of job request 204 (shown in FIG. 2). The relationships between the
tables and
the components of system 201 are described below.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a first portion of exemplary
database table structure 900 for system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), showing the
primary
tables used by request module (shown in FIG. 3). Request 916 is a high level
table
containing information regarding requests 204 (shown in FIG. 3). Detailed
information
for request 204 is stored in Request Info 913, and includes, without
limitation,
information regarding performance criteria, computing resource preferences and
limitations, model names, input and output files, wrapper files, model files,
and
information about data sensitivity and encryption. Job 914 is a table
containing
information relating to processing request 204. Job 914 ties together
information from
-28-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
tasks 908 and Request 916, and is used to initiate processing further
processing by system
201. A single request 204 may generate one or more entries in Job 914. Models
903 is a
table that maintains a library of machine learning models available to system
201. Tasks
908 is a table that maintains task types for the variety of models that system
201 can
handle. Task Models 901 is a table that associates Models 903 with their
respective task
types.
[0085] In operation, in the exemplary embodiment, user 202 (shown in
FIG. 2) submits request 204 to system 201. New requests 302 are received and
processed
by request module 304 (shown in FIG. 3). Upon receiving request 204, request
module
304 creates a new row in Request 916, and a new row in Request Info 913.
Information
associated with request 204 is stored in Request Info 913. Request 204 may
specify
which Model 903 user 202 wants to be used. Alternatively, user 202 may specify
a task
type, from which system 201 executes one or more Models 903 associated with
that task
type. Request module 304 then creates a new row in Job 914. The creation of
the Job
914 entries serves as an avenue of communication to job scheduler/optimizer
module 310
(shown in FIG. 3). When job scheduler/optimizer module 310 notices new entries
in Job
914 table, job scheduler/optimizer module 310 will continue processing.
[0086] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a second portion the
exemplary database structure 900 for system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), showing the
primary
tables used by job scheduler/optimizer module (shown in FIG. 3). A Job Model
915 table
includes information about jobs that need to be executed to complete request
204 (shown
in FIG. 3). Each entry in Job Model 915 is associated with a single entry in
Job 914
table, as well as a single entry in Models 903. A Job Model Instance 911 table
includes
information related to entries in Job Model 915, further refining restrictions
of Job Model
915 based on, for example, and without limitation, computing resource
limitations based
on the particular model, and computing resource limitations based on request
204 (shown
in FIG. 3). In the exemplary embodiment, Job Model Instance 911 includes a
single row
for each row in Job Model 915. Alternatively, a single row in Job Model 915
may result
in multiple Job Model Instances 911.
-29-
I
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
[0087] In operation, in the exemplary embodiment, job
scheduler/optimizer module 310 (shown in FIG. 3) notices a new, unprocessed
row
appear in Job 914. Job scheduler/optimizer module 310 selects n models 903,
and creates
n new rows in Job Model 915 table. Each of these new rows in Job Model 915
represents
a sub-task, affiliated with an individual model from Models 903, that needs to
be
executed to complete request 204. Job scheduler/optimizer module 310 then
creates n
rows in Job Model Instance 911 table, each correlating to one of the n new
rows in Job
Model 915. Job scheduler/optimizer module 310 considers and formulates
restraints for
each Job Model 915 when creating Job Model Instance 911. The creation of the
Job
Model Instance 911 entries serves as an avenue of communication to resource
module
314 (shown in FIG. 3) and executor module 312 (shown in FIG. 3). When resource
module 314 notices new entries in Job Model Instance 911, resource module 314
will
continue processing.
[0088] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a third portion of the
exemplary database structure 900 for system 201 (shown in FIG. 3), showing the
primary
tables used by executor module (shown in FIG. 3) and resource module (shown in
FIG.
3). Information about computing resources 206 (shown in FIG. 3) is maintained
by three
tables, Compute Resources 912, Resource Instance 920, and Instance Resource
919.
Compute Resources 912 includes high-level information about sources of
computing
resources. Resource Instance 920 provides details regarding each individual
computing
resource currently provisioned to or otherwise available for use by system
201. Instance
Resource 919 tracks allocation of Resource Instances 920. In the exemplary
embodiment, each Resource Instance 920 has a corresponding row in Instance
Resource
919 table whenever the Resource Instance 920 is assigned to perform work.
Alternatively, a row in Instance Resource 919 table is created when the
Resource
Instance 920 starts to perform assigned work.
[0089] In operation, in the exemplary embodiment, each cloud service
provider with which system 201 is configured to act has a row in Compute
Resources
912. Each private cloud or internal resource may also have rows in Compute
Resources
-30-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
912. For example, and without limitation, Compute Resources 912 table may have
an
entry for Amazon EC20, Rackspacee, TerremarkED, a private internal cloud, and
internal
computing resources. Each row represents a source of computing services with
which
system 201 is configured to interact. Resource Instance 920 has a row for each
individual
computing device currently provisioned to or otherwise available for use by
system 201.
Each Resource Instance 920 will have a "parent" compute resource 912
associated with
it, based on which cloud service provider, or other source, the Compute
Resource 912
comes from. For example, and without limitation, when system 201 provisions 10
virtual
servers from Amazon EC26, system 201 will create 10 entries in Resource
Instance 920,
each of which correspond to a single Amazon EC2 virtual server. In the
exemplary
embodiment, for cloud resources, these rows are created and deleted as system
201
provisions and releases virtual servers from the Cloud Service Providers.
Alternatively,
rows may remain in the table despite release of the row's associated virtual
server.
[0090] Also in operation, in the exemplary embodiment, the Resource
Instances 920 are assigned to perform work, i.e., they are assigned to execute
Job Model
Instances 911. The table Instance Resource 919 tracks the assignment of
Resource
Instances 920 to job model instances 911. When a new Job Model Instance 911 is
added,
resource module 314 assigns a Resource Instance 920 to the Job Model Instance
911.
Resource module 314 assigns Resource Instance 920 to Job Model Instance 911
based on
information in Job Model Instance 911. Alternatively, executor module 312 or
resource
module 314 creates or updates a row in Instance Resource 919 associated with
the
Resource Instance 920.
[0091] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, shared storage 604 (shown
in FIG. 7) may be assigned for use by Resource Instances 920. A Storage
Resources 906
table includes high-level information about storage resource providers
available to system
201. A Storage Instances 907 table includes information about individual
storage
instances that have been provisioned by or assigned for use by system 201. In
operation,
the execution of a Job Model Instance 911 may require use of a Storage
Instance 907.
-31-
,
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
Storage manager 603 (shown in FIG. 7) assigns a Storage Instance 907, i.e.,
shared
storage 604 (shown in FIG. 7), to the Job Model Instance 911 for use during
execution.
[0092] The above-described systems and methods provide ways to
automatically provision computing resources from a heterogeneous set of
computing
resources for purposes of Machine Learning. The embodiments described herein
take a
request from a user, selects, from a database of models, a subset of models
that meet the
performance requirements specified in the user's request, and searches for a
single best
model or best combination of a series of models. The search process is
performed by
breaking up the model space into individual job components consisting of one
or more
models, with each model having multiple individual instances using that model.
The
division of the user's request into discrete units of work allows the system
to leverage
multiple computing resources in processing the request. The system leverages
many
different sources of computing resources, including both cloud computing
resources from
various cloud providers, as well as private clouds or internal computing
resources. The
system also leverages different types of computing resources, such as
computing
resources differing in underlying operating system and hardware architecture.
The ability
to leverage multiple sources of computing resources, as well as types of
computing
resources allows the system greater flexibility and computational capacity.
The
combination of automation, flexibility, and capacity makes analysis of large
search
spaces feasible where, before, it was a manual, time consuming process. The
system also
includes constraint features that can allow a user to customize a request such
that it can
be restricted to what type of computing resources it leverages, or how much
computing
resources it leverages.
[0093] An exemplary technical effect of the methods and systems
described herein includes at least one of: (a) insulating the requesting user
from the
computational details of resource allocation; (b) leveraging different sources
and types of
computing resources for execution of the user's computational work; (c)
leveraging
distributed computing, from both internal and internet-based cloud computing
providers,
for processing a user's Machine Learning or other computational problems; (d)
increasing
-32-
CA 02836342 2013-12-12
256840
flexibility and computational capacity available to users; (e) reducing human
man-hours
by automating the processing of a user's Machine Learning or other
computational
requests through the use of a models database; (f) increasing scalability to a
particular
problem's data size and computational complexity.
[0094] Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for automated
provisioning of heterogeneous computing resources for Machine Learning are
described
above in detail. The systems and methods described herein are not limited to
the specific
embodiments described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps
of the
methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components
and/or
steps described herein. For example, the methods may also be used in
combination with
other systems requiring distributed computing systems and methods, and are not
limited
to practice with only the automatic model identification and creation with
high scalability
systems and methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments can
be
implemented and utilized in connection with many other concept extraction
applications.
[0095] Although specific features of various embodiments may be
shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In
accordance
with the principles of the systems and methods described herein, any feature
of a drawing
may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other
drawing.
[0096] While there have been described herein what are considered to be
preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other
modifications of
these embodiments falling within the scope of the invention described herein
shall be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
-33-
,
